When reached for comment, David Cortinas of La Voz said: “Our newspaper has been serving the Columbia Basin and surrounding areas for 14 years, and by helping get the Latino community registered to vote we are continuing that service.”

In response, George Fearing issued the following statement: “Democracy in its ideal form includes full citizen participation. I applaud La Voz and David Cortinas’ efforts in promoting civic involvement. All community news outlets have a shared interest in an informed and active readership. I encourage other publications in Central Washington to follow suit.”

George represented the Latino community following the 2000 census after Franklin County gerrymandered its county commissioner districts to weaken the voting strength of Latinos.

Voter registration is a nonpartisan effort. The Fearing Campaign expects and encourages the support of increased registration from all candidates and organizations in Central Washington. It’s too late to register for the August 19th primary, but there is plenty of time before the October 4th deadline to register for the general election.

For more information on the community outreach by La Voz, other voter registration efforts in the Columbia Basin and how to increase registration in your community, contact the following:

David Cortinas, Publisher and CEO of La Voz
Phone – 509-543-9932
E-mail

George Fearing Campaign and Tri-Cities Democratic Headquarters
Phone – 509-420-4463
E-mail

Steve Lee, Field Organizer for Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change – 8th, 16th and 9th Legislative Districts
Phone – 509-420-4463
E-mail

Washington State Office of Secretary of State
Phone - 360-902-4151
E-mail

Prices at the pump have almost tripled since Bush took office. To know where Rep. Hastings’ allegiances lie, one has only to look at his record. He has voted for billions of dollars in tax subsidies for big oil, at the same time these oil companies have posted record profits for each consecutive year under the Bush Administration. Last year Exxon Mobil posted the highest profits of any American company in history. Hastings has also received more than $63,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas sector.

Furthermore Doc Hastings has voted against legislation which would require the Justice Department to hold OPEC and oil companies accountable for price fixing or limiting the supply of oil (HR 6074), even though consumers are desperate for relief at the pump. As further evidence of Hastings’ allegiance to the oil companies, he was the only Washington Congressman to vote against the federal Price Gouging Prevention Act, designed to prevent consumers from being gouged at the pump.

Hastings also recently voted against “Use it or Lose it” legislation to require Big Oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of public lands they are currently stockpiling under oil leases here in the US before being allowed the opportunity to acquire new oil leases, thereby effectively hoarding more domestic supply and further driving up prices. Over 80% of federal land leased to oil companies is sitting idle. The total unused acreage is equal in size to the state of Colorado.

These existing leases contain 80% of all federal oil deposits. Oil companies are already leasing 33 million acres off-shore as well, and, again, 80% of all off-shore oil is already open for exploration. In addition, big oil already has drilling access to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) which sits next to ANWR, the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. The NPR-A was set aside specifically for oil and gas exploration and is larger in size than ANWR. This petroleum reserve has been open to the oil companies for exploration for the last 26 years, but they have only drilled 25 wells here. Even though Exxon found oil here, they chose to cap these wells and sit on them, presumably for future development, while they continue to complain they need drilling rights in ANWR, too. Only one private well has been drilled in ANWR and the results of this well have never been publicized.

It is estimated that the 68 million acres of leased, inactive federal land would produce 4.8 million barrels of oil and 44.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day. That would nearly double total US production of oil, and also increase natural gas production by 75%. .It is also estimated that the development and production from this 68 million acres would cut US dependence on foreign oil imports by one-third. 4.8 million barrels of oil equals more than six times the estimated peak production from ANWR, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Furthermore, results from drilling in ANWR will not be seen for 10 years, and after 20 years would only result in a saving 2 cents per gallon

George Fearing also joins Congressional Democrats in calling on President Bush to immediately open up a small portion of the SPRO, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, in order to reduce gas prices immediately, particularly for small businesses and consumers who are suffering serious hardships. Neither Doc Hastings nor President Bush has shown any interest in utilizing a small portion of these SPRO reserves, even though the US is dangerously dependent on foreign oil.

Republicans have criticized the ‘Use It of Lose It’ legislation saying that the oil companies cannot afford to actively step up drilling efforts on the 68 million acres they now lease. They also point out that not all of this 68 million acres contains oil anyway. Well, it must be of considerable interest to the oil companies, or they would not bother to lease it from the government in the first place. Secondly, a recent government sale of oil leases this spring, in March, 2008, produced $3.8 billion in sales. When we see big oil companies like Andarko, Exxon and Chevron plunk down $300 or $400 million dollars for more oil leases, it’s hard to believe that they can not afford the cost to drill for oil here on the lands they’re already leasing, both in the continental United States and off-shore.

The oil lobby also argues that they should be allowed to acquire more oil leases because they have brought billions of dollars of revenue into state and federal treasuries. While this is true, it is also true that they have evaded paying billions of dollars in royalties. Both federal and state governments have maintained large auditing departments for decades, whose sole job is to track down unpaid oil royalty revenues. A report filed by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, found that auditors collected an average of $176 million per year in these unpaid revenues between 1989-2001.But during the Bush Administration these collection efforts have been cut by almost 75%, down to $46 million recovered each year, and the Bush Interior Department has also revoked auditors’ rights to subpoena oil company records. Numerous federal auditors have filed suit over the past several years to expose the Department’s practice of shielding oil companies from investigation.

Although, Hastings says we need to expand our new sources of energy, he voted against the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act (H.R. 6049) and H.R. 5351, and many similar renewable energy bills.

When asked to comment on Hastings’ continual support for Big Oil, Fearing said: “The record is clear that Doc Hastings has consistently sided with Big Oil and against the average consumer. The ANWR issue has been fabricated to deflect public attention away from the oil companies’ continual pattern of hoarding supply and driving up prices. They are seeking a complete monopoly of America’s domestic oil supply, and refuse to spend their windfall profits on developing the 80% of all federal oil lands they already control. It’s shameful.”

Fearing also added, “While I support a ‘Use It or Lose It’ policy and would push to see it implemented as soon I am elected, I also realize drilling alone can never make America energy independent and energy independence is a matter of national security. After all, America is sitting on only 2% of the world’s oil supply, but our country accounts for 25% of the world’s oil consumption. Right now we must force Big Oil to drill on the 68 million acres it is currently leasing, which will eventually reduce our dependence on foreign oil by one third. At the same time we must begin manufacturing more fuel efficient cars, reduce oil consumption and develop alternative sources of energy. As we look to the future, with increased oil demand driven by China and India, it only makes sense for us to develop cheaper sources of fuel and cut our over-dependence on oil altogether. I know this doesn’t make the big oil companies happy, but it is simply a fact of life.”

Fearing further questioned Doc Hastings’ sincerity in claiming to be concerned about energy issues, noting, “Even though the Tri-Cities is recognized as a world leader in energy production and research, Doc Hastings has consistently refused to show leadership and serve on the House Energy Committee. As a member of Congress, I will make seeking a seat on the Energy Committee one of my top priorities.”

Leveraging this money will ensure that 400 family-wage jobs stay in the Tri-Cities. In a statement, George Fearing, Democratic candidate for Congress said: “The incumbent congressman had no part in keeping these family wage jobs here. In fact, he has failed to even serve on any Energy-related committee. This shows he is failing in his service to Central Washington.”

Sen. Murray has officially endorsed George Fearing’s bid to unseat Rep. Richard Hastings. If elected, Fearing will seek a position on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in order to provide the best representation to the Tri-Cities, Hanford, and all of Central Washington. He is excited to work with Sen. Murray, and complement her work in the Senate to protect family-wage jobs in our area.

When asked about Sen. Murray’s achievement for the Hanford area, Fearing said: “I would like to thank Sen. Murray for her hard work. It is great to know that we have a Senator working for us even when our Congressman consistently fails to get results. I am looking forward to serving with Sen. Murray in Washington and on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.”

On June 4, the Star ran a press release from Congressman Hastings on his failure to have Congress adopt two amendments he proposed to an education bill related to the federal government’s responsibilities under the Impact Aid program. Hastings would have us believe that his amendments were blocked because the Democratic Congress does not want to fund education. This explanation is absurd on its face. Democrats have fought long and hard to fund education because we know it is important to prepare our children to compete in a global society. The explanation is especially preposterous in light of the fact that the bill in question was to authorize $20 billion of federal spending for school construction and maintenance.

The truth is that the reason the House Leadership won’t listen to Hastings has nothing to do with ideology, and everything to do with Hastings’ long history as a partisan politician. Since his election to Congress in 1994, and during his tenure as a state representative before, Hastings built his entire career on partisan politics. Hastings has never built alliances with anyone on the other side of the aisle. He prides himself on practicing politics as a perpetual partisan attack.

Doc Hastings almost always votes with his party’s leadership. After he votes with his party, he blames the Democrats.

Hastings’ quotes in your June 4 article about his failure to get his amendments passed were more partisan attacks. Hastings was successful with this unproductive behavior with Republicans in the majority, but now that they are not, central Washington pays the price. That’s why it’s time for a change. Democrats are in the majority in Congress, and will be in the extended future. Doc Hastings’ partisan ways will thus continue to harm our district.

Unfortunately, Hastings never accomplished anything even when his party controlled Congress. His ability to accomplish anything is even worse now. As long as Congress continues to be controlled by the Democrats, Hastings is going to continue to be ignored. His failed amendments related to the Impact Aid program are just another example of his inability to adequately represent our interests.

(Yakima) Saturday, two hundred Democrats turned out for the 4th Congressional District nominating convention at Eisenhower High School in Yakima. The 4th Congressional District spans Central Washington including Yakima, Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Moses Lake and Othello. Ten Central Washington Counties are within the district’s boundaries.

The Democrats used their time to determine delegates to go onto the state convention and then to the national convention in Denver. Democrats also used this time to establish their unanimous support of George Fearing (D-Kennewick) in his bid to unseat Doc Hastings (R-Pasco).

George opened the morning with a speech raising concerns over Doc Hastings’ leadership on the issues that matter most to Central Washington including the economy, gas prices, energy independence, and ending the war in Iraq. Fearing suggested that our economic woes directly relate to the occupation of Iraq, arguing that the cost of this war will likely be trillions of dollars, resulting in both the continuing escalation of prices at the pump and the devaluing of the American dollar.

“President Bush said the war in Iraq would bring down gas prices,” said Fearing, “yet soon it will cost more than $4.00 per gallon.”

Fearing also argues that Doc Hastings is failing on the issues that matter most to Central Washington by not serving on either the agriculture or energy committees. He does not understand Central Washington’s priorities and he cannot get the job done for us. George ended his speech with a call for change urging Democratic activists to participate in the 50 for Change program. Activists will register 50 voters, knock on 50 doors, or make 50 calls for change in Congress this November.

Immediately following George’s speech, Ron Bonlender, local business owner in Yakima, moved that Democrats of Central Washington nominate George to for the official 4th Congressional District endorsement. The motion was seconded unanimously, and then carried unanimously.

Democratic wins in special elections in Illinois, Louisiana, and rural Mississippi indicate that victory is within Fearing’s reach.

Energy for change extends far beyond the race for congress this year. John Gotts (D–White Salmon), running against Bruce Chandler (R-Granger) for the 15 Legislative District, is leading an effort across Central Washington to get Democrats to run for legislative positions. “I believe it’s time that Democrats in Central Washington have a voice in the House. The only way for people in our 4th Congressional District to have a voice is to find and elect people who represent our values and needs.”

Richard Brinkman, chair of the 4th Congressional District Democratic organization called the event to order and presided over Fearing’s unanimous vote.

“Today is a great day to be a Democrat,” said Brinkman, “the party is very engaged in the presidential nomination process, is united behind George Fearing, and is fielding competitive candidates in races all across Central Washington. 2008 really is the year for change.”

While accepting the nomination Fearing concluded, “I’m humbled and honored to be the unanimous choice of Democrats in Central Washington.  I will fight hard for change this November and I implore Democrats across the Central Washington to give their time, money, and labor for change.”

George’s unanimous nomination comes two weeks after receiving a unanimous endorsement from the AFL-CIO at their yearly committee on political education (COPE) convention. It also comes a few days after the 15th LD Democrats provided their unanimous support. The 14th LD Democrats, Yakima County Democrats and Benton County Democrats also gave Fearing unanimous support.